From our Principal

Welcome back to the new term. I provide the information below for your reference at the start of a new semester. 

Student Reports – Semester 1 

Semester One Reports were published on PAM prior to the holidays. I encourage you to celebrate your successes in Semester 1 and to set goals for further progress in the future. 

If you have any queries regarding your report, please speak to your subject teacher directly. For matters of a more general nature please contact the Directors of Learning: 

• Mrs Jenna Dore (Director of Senior Learning) 
• Mrs Michelle Lilford (Director of Senior Learning)  

Student Attendance 

In line with our College Attendance Policy, students who are regularly late for classes will be issued with a consequence. If your child is regularly late to class, they may be placed on a Lateness Management Plan to support them to get to class on time. 

On this point, we would also remind you that holidays in term time should be avoided wherever possible as this disrupts the continuity of your child’s education and has the potential to impact his achievement and promotion. Requests for an extended leave of absence for a holiday must be made in writing to the Principal. 

Parents often ask me, “What can I do to support my child in getting to school on time?” Help your child to understand that every day at school contributes to his academic achievement, emotional wellbeing, and their sense of connectedness to school. There is no safe threshold for student absence. 

Parent Access Module (PAM) 

Parents, Guardians and Carers can update their contact details and student medical information via PAM. Permission for off-site activities can only be accepted via a completed PAM permission (and not verbally over the phone or email) prior to the date of the activity. 

College Winter Uniform 

The College Wither Uniform can be purchased from the Marist-Sion College Uniform Shop. 

• College Blazer 
• College Dark Grey Trousers 
• College Tartan Skirt 
• Long-Sleeved White Collared Shirt 
• College Jumper 
• College Tie 
• College Grey Socks or Tights 
• Plain Closed Toe Shoes 
• Optional Soft-Shell Jacket 
• Optional College Green or Grey Scarf 
• Optional Black Belt 
• Optional College Beanie 

NOTE: During Terms 2 and 3, either the Blazer or Soft-Shell Jacket must be worn as the outer garment when travelling to and from the College. The College Blazer must be worn to all formal College events including all Masses, Assemblies, Information Evenings etc. 

Students are expected to present themselves well and to wear the uniform, including footwear, correctly. This applies during school hours, while travelling to and from school, and when students are engaged in school activities out of school hours. On excursions, unless otherwise stated, full College uniform is required. 

Tutor Teachers and Heads of House will challenge our students to maintain or lift their standards with the College uniform. 

College Café 

Introducing MunchMonitor – Online Ordering now live! 

Families can now pre-order food from the Marist-Sion College Café online via MunchMonitor starting the week commencing Monday 22 July.  

• Place orders online up to 4 weeks in advance, and same day orders must be placed by 8.45am 
• Set up “Snack Money” for over-the-counter purchasing, set daily or weekly spend limits, and specify which days an account may be used  
• Cash and card can still be used to purchase food directly from the Café 

Information on how to set up a MunchMonitor account can be viewed here. 

College Calendar – Semester 2 

The College calendar is available on the Parent Access Module (PAM), and I offer the following as a list of key dates to support your family. Further details will be published closer to the date of various events. 

NAIDOC Week – Keep the Fire Burning! Blak, Loud and Proud 

This year’s theme celebrates the unyielding spirit of our communities and invites all to stand in solidarity, amplifying the voices that have long been silenced. The fire represents the enduring strength and vitality of Indigenous cultures, passed down through generations despite the challenges faced. It is a symbol of connection to the land, to each other, and to the rich tapestry of traditions that define Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. As we honour this flame, we kindle the sparks of pride and unity, igniting a renewed commitment to acknowledging, preserving, and sharing the cultural heritage that enriches our nation. 

Saint Mary MacKillop Centre Official Blessing and Opening 

The Saint Mary MacKillop Centre will have its Official Blessing and Opening on Tuesday 30 July 2024. The learning space offers enhanced technology capability and further opportunities for students to collaborate with peers. We will welcome Senator Raff Ciccone (Senator for Victoria) and Mr Paul Velten (Director of Catholic Education and Chief Executive Officer Diocese of Sale Catholic Education Limited) and other dignitaries to the ceremony. 

College Production – High School Musical: On Stage! 

Our cast and crew have worked tirelessly to bring you an unforgettable College Production, High School Musical: On Stage! Don’t miss out – purchase your tickets for the shows from Thursday 1 August to Saturday 3 August 2024 via this link: https://tinyurl.com/MSCW-HSM24. 

Year 8 Reflection Days 

The Year 8 Reflection Days will be held by the Passionist Retreat Team. The program will be run during the school day with 8A-D attending on Monday 29 July and 8E-H on Tuesday 30 July. 

Year 11 Retreat 

The Year 11 Retreat will be led by the Passionist Retreat Team. This program will be held from Monday 19 August to Wednesday 21 August 2024. Information regarding the Year 11 Retreat will be provided in the fortnight prior to this compulsory College event. 

Year 9 Reflection Days 

The Year 9 Reflection Days will be held on Monday September 9 and Wednesday September 11. The days will be led by the Gen Bryant Retreat Team. Gen Bryant is a talented musician and is well known for engaging students with a very real and relevant ministry program.  

Year 10 Day of Dialogue 

The Year 10 Day of Dialogue is an opportunity for a group of students to spend a day learning with and from students from the Jewish and Muslim faiths. Hosted by Our Lady of Sion College, Box Hill this event celebrates the heart of our Sion charism. 

Student Free Day – Curriculum Planning Day 

A Curriculum Planning Day is calendared for Wednesday 14 August 2024. This day supports our planning to prepare and implement the Victorian Curriculum 2.0 in 2025.  The Student Free Day mid-term provides the opportunity for students to continue to work towards the completion of any assessment tasks and further revision of their learning across all subjects. 

Heritage Day 

Heritage Day will be celebrated on Thursday 15 August 2024 with a Whole School Mass honouring our Marist and Sion charisms, followed by an afternoon of fun and celebration at the College. This annual celebration for our College community brings us together in family spirit and fun as we reflect with gratitude on the efforts of all who have contributed to making our College what we know and enjoy today. This is a compulsory day for students. 

Year 9 Camp Week 

Year 9 students will participate in the Year 9 Camp Week from Monday 28 October 2024 until Friday 1 November 2024. Information regarding the Year 9 Camp Week will be provided in the lead up to the Year 9 Camp. 

Year 12 Graduation Ceremony and Valedictory Dinner 

The Year 12 Graduation Ceremony and Valedictory Dinner will be held on Friday 22 November 2024. Information regarding the Year 12 Valedictory will be provided in Term 3. 

An Evening of Excellence (Presentation Evening) at the West Gippsland Arts Centre 

An Evening of Excellence (Presentation Evening) will be held at the West Gippsland Arts Centre on Thursday 28 November 2024. This night promises to be a wonderful celebration of student achievement, academic achievement and community involvement. 

All Classes Staffed for Semester 2 

All classes across all year levels will commence Term 3 with a permanent teacher. We are pleased with the quality of applicants we are attracting to work alongside our staff and students. 

Social Media – Facebook 

To keep updated on College news regularly, students and parents can follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/maristsioncollege. 

Child Safety 

Preventing and responding to child abuse requires a whole of community response to bring about broad cultural change. To this end, the Victorian Child Safe Standards apply to a broad range of organisations that provide services for children, including schools, churches, sporting clubs and youth services. We encourage any student who feels unsafe to confide in a trusted adult or contact the College’s Child Safety Champions by email: ChildSafety@mscw.vic.edu.au. 

Counselling and Wellbeing Services Team 

Please see a variety of community organisations that support wellbeing and mental health listed below. Students also have the option to email counsellingandwellbeingteam@mscw.vic.edu.au to speak with a College Counsellor. 

The following supports are also available. These organisations offer a combination of information, counselling services and links to other supports.  

I hope you enjoyed a well-deserved break over the holidays and look forward to connecting with you again this semester.

Ms Lisa Harkin

Principal